Foot operated boat paddle



July 2, 1963 F. L. STOLZER 3,095,850

FOOT OPERATED BOAT PADDLE Filed April 27, 1961 INVENTOR fleets? Sra4 2 EB United States Patent 3,095,850 FOOT OPERATED BOAT PADDLE Forrest L. Stolzer, 2900 W. 7th St., Little Rock, Ark. Filed Apr. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 106,019 2 Claims. (Cl. 11525) The present invention relates to a foot operated boat paddle which may be mounted in light boats for providing forward, reverse, right and left turning propulsion by means of a sculling actuation of the paddle.

Numerous previous inventors have attempted to provide row boat propulsion mechanisms which may be actuated by the operators feet. These inventors have addressed themselves principally to pushing and pulling paddles mounted on the gunwales of such craft for foot paddle actuation through use of push pull or torque rods. A principal shortcoming of such mechanism is that 50 of the paddle movement is deadhead or return stroke without propelling thrust. In an attempt to avoid this deadhead some devices have included means for spilling the paddle thrust on the return stroke, for example by collapsing the paddle in the manner of ducks foot while swimming.

The present mechanism uniquely transmits foot power to a sculling, as opposed to a pulling or pushing paddle. The paddle when sculled by means of foot action provides thrust during any and all portions of its actuation from side to side. The deadhead half cycle of conventional push or pull paddles is eliminated thusly and the present paddle is in a sense double acting. According to the present invention a paddle pivot is attached to the bow of the boat, a paddle is vertically supported in said pivot so that the blade is parallel with the keel of the boat, foot pedals are pivoted in the sides of the boat and linkage is provided interconnecting the foot pedals and the pivot so that the paddle is actuable in said pivot from side to side, perpendicularly of the keel. Furthermore, by simple variation of the operators foot actuation change from forward to reverse, right or left propulsion is effected. The present pivot may be inclined from its nor mal perpendicular position so that the paddle may operate in shallow water when full power is not needed and slip joint means are provided to prevent breaking of the assembly when the paddle strikes submerged objects. Since only a single paddle is employed, fouling of the paddle and actuating mechanism is reduced to a minimum and the entire actuating mechanism, less paddle, may be carried in the bottom half of an eight inch by sixteen inch tackle box.

Accordingly, it is an object of invention to provide a paddle actuating assembly capable of actuating a boat paddle in full thrust without deadhe-ad or return stroke.

Another object of invention is to provide a paddle blade sculling assembly which is capable of selectively actuating the paddle in forward, reversed, right or left hand propulsion.

Another objection of invention is to provide an apparatus for sculling a boat by means of foot pedaling.

Yet, additional objects of invention will become apparent from the ensuing specification and attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view fragmentarily showing a boat hull and the boat paddle in completing a stroke to the right in forward thrust position, and

FIG.2 is an enlarged side elevation, partially frag mentary showing the pivoting assembly with the paddle supported in non-operative position, the paddle blade being parallel to the boat keel.

In FIG. 1 boat 10 is shown as comprising bottom 88 and sides 86 upon which are fixed peripherally extending 3,095,850 Patented July 2, 1963 gunwales 96. In bow section '18 forward seat 14 is fitted and in the mid-section mid seat 12 is fitted. Boat paddle 22 is shown with its shaft fitted within pivot section sleeve 62. Paddle actuating assembly generally designated 94 is attached to bow 18 by means of C-clamp 20. Assembly 94 comprises generally a pivoting portion and a cable bearing portion. Paddle longitudinal tensioning spring $2 interconnects cable bearing assembly 42 and sleeve 62 which encompasses shaft 96 of paddle 22. Foot pedals 26 are supported on gunwales by means of pivots 30. Flexible steel or like cables 38 are attached to foot pedals 26 by means of S-links 36, pass around pulleys 28, supported by C-clamps 40 and interconnecting turn buckles 32, and pass around pulleys 70* which are attached by brackets 72 to how 18. Cable stop 60 are provided to both cables 38 so as to limit the extent of reciprocation of the cables and thus limit the extent of side to side pivoting or sculling actuation of the paddle. Cable bearing assembly 42 comprises an annular ball bearing assembly 76 through which cable 38 ends pass and extend into cable anchor 52. Cable bearing assembly 42 is mounted upon swinging lever 44 which is pivoted at 46 to lever support ridges 50 of the paddle bearing assembly 48. Anchor 52 is supported similarly by bolt and nut means 54 to the support ridges 5'0. Paddle bearing assembly 48 is adjusted by means of screw 58 extending through adjusting flanges 56.

Paddle bearing assembly 48 is supported above paddle encompassing sleeve 62 which may be secured to paddle shaft 96 by means of nut and bolt 64. A tension spring 92 interconnects lug 68 of swinging lever 44 and lug 66 of paddle sleeve 62. In the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. lever 44 is inclined inwardly, that is towards the boat how by means of pulling actuation on cables 38 thus presenting the paddle for forward thrust operation. Ball bearing seat '80 containing lubricant is mounted upon bracket 82 which embodies a friction joint (not illustrated) and slip joint 84 by means of which the bracket is connected to c-clamp 20.

As will be apparent, the boat operator may utilize both hands for fishing or other activity while propelling and controlling the boat solely with his feet. The assembly may be mounted on the bow of various types and dimensions of boats and requires only a few minutes for installation or removal. The boat may accommodate additionally at its stern an outboard motor. The paddle actuating linkage, being mounted on the interior sides of the boat, does not interfere with storage of fishing gear or the seating of boat occupants. The paddle and actuating assembly may be inclined inwardly so to remove the paddle from the water when utilizing the outboard motor.

When in use the operator sits facing forward his feet upon pedals 26. Paddle 22 Works on the sculling principle and constitutes an almost tireless means of control ling the boat while fishing. Paddle 22 at rest is positioned vertically in parallel alignment with boat keel 24. Movement of pedals 26 pulls cables 90 through pulleys 28, 70 and 72. Simultaneous pressure on both pedals 26 pulls bearing assembly 42 to the rear of the center axis of the paddle. With both pedals held with sufficient pressure assembly 42 remains to the rear against the pressure of spring 92. Any alternating movement of pedals from this condition swings paddle 22 around its axis against pre-set stops 60 approximately 45 degrees of center. This condition provides forward thrust as the paddle 22 swings through a sculling arc in either direction. Release of pressure on both pedals 26 Will allow spring 92 to retract, returning bearing assembly 42 forward of vertical position. In this position movement of either pedal without placing any pressure on the other pedal will actuate paddle 22 through a sculling arc with reverse thrust. Accelerated movement on either side with slower movement on the opposite side will scull the boat toward the accelerated side. FIG. 1 shows paddle 22 completing a stroke to the right in forward thrust condition. Pressure on the right pedal will reversely pivot bearing assembly toward the right and rotate paddle 22 on its axis approximately 45 degrees to the opposite or side of the center line of keel 24, continuing forward thrust.

As will be apparent, variously modified mechanisms for pivoting a boat paddle for sculling action may be employed Without departing from the spirit and scope of invention as defined in the subjoined claims.

' I claim:

1. A paddle actuating assembly supported upon a boat comprising:

(A) a vertically inclinable bracket mounted upon an end of said boat;

(B) a paddle pivot attached to said bracket, said paddle pivot including a paddle shaft encompassing sleeve pivotable from side to side in said bracket;

(C) a paddle of the type having a lower blade and an upper shaft extending into and secured in said sleeve, said blade being substantially parallel to the keel of said heat and being actuable With said sleeve from side to side perpendicularly of said keel;

(D) a cable bearing assembly supported upon the top of said sleeve; 1 V

(E) opposed cable means connected to said bearing assembly, each of said cable means being reciprocable through bearing members mounted on said boat; and

(F) a paddle longitudinal tensioning spring interconnecting said bearing assembly and said sleeve.

2. A paddle actuating assembly supported upon a boat comprising:

(A) a vertically inclinable bracket, including slip joint means, mounted upon an end of said boat;

(B) a paddle pivot attached to said bracket, said paddle pivot including a paddle shaft encompassing sleeve pivotable from side to side in said bracket;

(C) a paddle of the type having a lower blade and an upper shaft extendinginto and secured in said sleeve, said blade being parallel to the keel of said boat and being actuable with said sleeve from side to side perpendicularly of said keel;

(D) a cable bearing assembly supported upon the top of said sleeve, including an annular bearing mounted upon a pivoted lever and a cable anchor pivoted on top of said sleeve; 7

(E) opposed cable means extending through said bearing assembly, and connected to said anchor, each of said cable means being reciprocable through bearing members mounted on said boat; and

(F) a paddle longitudinal tensioning spring interconnecting said pivoted lever and said sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 54,481

Dearmond Jan. 1, 1957 

2. A PADDLE ACTUATING ASSEMBLY SUPPORTED UPON A BOAT COMPRISING: (A) A VERTICALLY INCLINABLE BRACKET, INCLUDING SLIP JOINT MEANS, MOUNTED UPON AN END OF SAID BOAT; (B) A PADDLE PIVOT ATTACHED TO SAID BRACKET, SAID PADDLE PIVOT INCLUDING A PADDLE SHAFT ENCOMPASSING SLEEVE PIVOTABLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN SAID BRACKET; (C) A PADDLE OF THE TYPE HAVING A LOWER BLADE AND AN UPPER SHAFT EXTENDING INTO AND SECURED IN SAID SLEEVE, SAID BLADE BEING PARALLEL T THE KEEL OF SAID BOAT AND BEING ACTUABLE WITH SAID SLEEVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE PERPENDICULARLY OF SAID KEEL; (D) A CABLE BEARING ASSEMBLY SUPPORTED UPON THE TOP 